April 18, 2002
| Record (ton/month) |
Plan (ton/month) |
Plan for FY2002 1st half (%) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2001 1st half (A) |
FY2001 2nd half (B) |
FY2002 1st half (C) |
Over FY2001 1st half (C/A) |
Over FY2001 2nd half (C/B) |
||
| Total | 6,900 | 6,200 | 6,600 | 96 | 106 | |
| Plate & Strip | 6,050 | 2,900 | 3,000 | 98 | 103 | |
| Tube | 2,340 | 2,000 | 2,150 | 92 | 108 | |
| Bar & Wire | 1,060 | 950 | 1,050 | 99 | 111 | |
| Specialty | 450 | 350 | 400 | 89 | 114 | |
- Plan for the first half of FY2002:
- 96 % over the first half of FY2001
106 % over the second half of FY2001
Plate & Strip
The demand for semiconductors' leadframe strips as well as phosphor bronze and brass strips for connectors and terminals is seemingly back on course for recovery, after it suffered the so-called IT recession for more than a year, from the bottom in October to December of the last year. However, the demand for other than electronic component fields such as for submarine cables is still in a low level thus remaining insufficient to boost the entire market.
Tube
Although the demand season begins, sales for the domestic market of air conditioners, i.e., a major copper tube demand, continue to be low in this short term. Moreover, the so-called "out-in" phenomenon in the air conditioner field is anticipated to increase, leading to the forecast of minus eight percent over the same half of the previous year in terms of domestic demands for copper tubes.
Bar and Wire
The demand for copper bars is anticipated to stay stagnant maintaining the level as of the same half of the previous year, because while the electric power investment is sluggish, the demand for both the facility investment of IT related industries and the information and communication centers has ceased to be active.
Specialty
Noble metal composite materials, which are used in various electric and electronic equipment components, are anticipated to be firm in demand as the economy recovers along with the build-ups of digital home appliances and electrical appliances for automobiles.